NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
50 reportsClear category filter86,000 miles · Feb 24, 2006
Power Train
THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. I GOT IN IT, STARTED IT, AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND IT DIDN'T GO. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK, THEN IN DRIVE, AND I COULDN'T GO FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE CURB. SO I PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, BUT IT WENT BACK HARD, AND I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR IF O…
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THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. I GOT IN IT, STARTED IT, AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND IT DIDN'T GO. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK, THEN IN DRIVE, AND I COULDN'T GO FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE CURB. SO I PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, BUT IT WENT BACK HARD, AND I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR IF ONE WAS IN THE SPACE BEHIND ME, AND WHEN I DID, IT WAS VERY STUTTERED MOVEMENT. WHEN I P WENT FORWARD (DRIVE), IT HAD A RUBBING SOUND, LIKE SOMETHING WAS RUBBING ON SOMETHING. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO THIS CAR BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MONEY TO EVEN TOW IT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS RUN VERY WELL UNTIL THIS DAY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151083
76,500 miles · May 13, 2005
Power Train
I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE PER THE SERVICE MANUAL THROUGH THE LOCAL MERCURY DEALERSHIP. SOMETIME DURING EARLY APRIL 2005, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER "DIAGNOSED" THE PR…
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I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE PER THE SERVICE MANUAL THROUGH THE LOCAL MERCURY DEALERSHIP. SOMETIME DURING EARLY APRIL 2005, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER "DIAGNOSED" THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED A PART. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION THE VERY NEXT DAY. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THE OLD TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10120837
75,000 miles · Mar 11, 2005
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TRANSMISSION GEAR BLOCK BLEWOUT. THIS CAUSED HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115023
42,000 miles · Mar 5, 2005
Power Train
I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 5700 MILES. THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ,RESULTING IN COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER AND FLYWHEEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO BUT WAS SO INTERMITTENT THAT MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. …
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I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 5700 MILES. THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ,RESULTING IN COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER AND FLYWHEEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO BUT WAS SO INTERMITTENT THAT MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. DAMAGED PARTS WILL BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION IF NEEDED. I CONDUCTED A WEBSEARCH AND FOUND A WEBSITE WHICH CONTAINED MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 99 COUGARS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, EVEN AT THE SAME APPROX. MILEAGE. THE WEBSITE IS LOCATED AT: ://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_5988.HTML. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112584
39,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAYS ODOMETR OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHIFTS HARD. THIS HAPPENED AT 49,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW AT 75,000 MILES THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. THIS SEEMS TO BE LIKE THERE IS SOM…
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THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAYS ODOMETR OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHIFTS HARD. THIS HAPPENED AT 49,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW AT 75,000 MILES THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. THIS SEEMS TO BE LIKE THERE IS SOME DEFECTIVE PROBLEM GOING ON. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER THIS AS IT HAPPENED OVER 36,000 MILES BUT I REFUSE TO HAVE TO AGAIN PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10105809
78,000 miles · Nov 22, 2004
Exterior LightingPower Train
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE BRAKE WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE SWITCH HAD BECOME HOT AND MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE HOUSING AROUND METAL CONNECTOR PRONE. *SC…
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THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE BRAKE WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE SWITCH HAD BECOME HOT AND MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE HOUSING AROUND METAL CONNECTOR PRONE. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10097594
8,520 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
PURCHASED CAR NEW, IN 57000 MILES WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, 2 ALTERNATORS, 1 STARTER, 2 BATTERIES, ENTIRE RACK AND PINION, POWER STEERING PUMP, TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, 4 SET OF BRAKES, 4 SETS OF TIRES PLUS TWO INDIVIDUAL TIRES ALL WITH SIDEWALL BLOW OUTS EXCEPT ONE PUNCTURE AND 2 HEADLIGHT SWITCHES, 2 CIG LIGHTERS. THE ENTI…
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PURCHASED CAR NEW, IN 57000 MILES WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, 2 ALTERNATORS, 1 STARTER, 2 BATTERIES, ENTIRE RACK AND PINION, POWER STEERING PUMP, TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, 4 SET OF BRAKES, 4 SETS OF TIRES PLUS TWO INDIVIDUAL TIRES ALL WITH SIDEWALL BLOW OUTS EXCEPT ONE PUNCTURE AND 2 HEADLIGHT SWITCHES, 2 CIG LIGHTERS. THE ENTIRE UPPER ENGINE GASKET SET HAD TO BE REPLACED TO GET TO AN INTAKE LEAK. THE HEAD LIGHTS AND FOGLIGHTS WORK ITERMITTANTLY, ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF. CURRENTLY ONE HEADLIGHT IS OUT (LAMP IS GOOD) FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING (TODAY) AND AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT IS INDICATING A PROBLEM AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10093261
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10073831
93,000 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility
THE BATTERY SEEMED LOW ON THE CAR, INDICATED BY INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT BEING VERY ILLUMINATED, BUT THEN DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND WINDOWS ROLLED UP VERY SLOWLY. I CHARGED THE BATTERY FOR MANY HOURS AND IT TOOK A CHARGE, SO I COULD GET TO THE MERCURY DEALER. IT DIED WHEN I GOT THERE AND THEY WERE CLOSED, SO I HAD TO JU…
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THE BATTERY SEEMED LOW ON THE CAR, INDICATED BY INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT BEING VERY ILLUMINATED, BUT THEN DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND WINDOWS ROLLED UP VERY SLOWLY. I CHARGED THE BATTERY FOR MANY HOURS AND IT TOOK A CHARGE, SO I COULD GET TO THE MERCURY DEALER. IT DIED WHEN I GOT THERE AND THEY WERE CLOSED, SO I HAD TO JUMP IT AND MOVE TO A SAFE LOCATION TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE IN THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS, SO I NEW IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN! THAT'S THREE ALTERNATORS IN 2 1/2 YEARS. THIS TIME I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND AM EXPECTED TO PAY $550 FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN NOT TELL ME WHY THIS IS OCCURING, AND FORD "CUSTOMER SERVICE" COULD CARE LESS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT MANY COUGAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM CONTINUALLY. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE MOTOR FOR THE SUNROOF.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080541
48,800 miles · Jul 2, 2004
Power Train
WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING, MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WILL SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, TO REVERSE, WITHOUT EVER RELEASING THE LOCK. ALL IT TAKES IS SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE GEAR SHIFT TO CHANGE GEARS UNINTENTIONALLY. THE DEALER I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM 2 WEEKS AGO, AND FORD TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE GEARS TO MOVE FROM DRIVE …
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WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING, MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WILL SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, TO REVERSE, WITHOUT EVER RELEASING THE LOCK. ALL IT TAKES IS SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE GEAR SHIFT TO CHANGE GEARS UNINTENTIONALLY. THE DEALER I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM 2 WEEKS AGO, AND FORD TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE GEARS TO MOVE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITH NO EFFORT. THE DEALER SAID NO HARM IS DONE. YOU ARE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN YOU BUMP THE GEAR SHIFT, AND LOSE ALL ACCELERATION UNTIL YOU MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. I CAN SEE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THERE. AND, CONSIDERING THAT THIS IS MY 16 YEAR OLD'S CAR, I SEE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO WOULD SHIFT FROM 2ND ALL THE WAY TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT RELEASING THE LOCK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079205
Official recalls
7Aug 30, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Jul 9, 2001
ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS MISROUTED AND ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE ALTERNATOR CABLE WAS UNDER-TORQUED. IF MISROUTED, THE CABLE COULD CONTACT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE INSULATION COULD WEAR, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE, STALLING, OR A NO-START CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO THE ALTERNATOR FOR DAMAGE AND, IF IT IS DAMAGED, WILL REPLACE THE CABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE WILL BE CORRECTED, AS NECESSARY, AND A ROUTING CLIP WILL BE ADDED. ALSO THE TORQUE ON THE ALTERNATOR ATTACHMENT OF THE CABLE WILL BE CHECKED AND, AS REQUIRED, WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED BRAKE LAMPS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STOP LAMP EXTENSION HARNESS WITH BRONZE TERMINALS AT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND ALSO INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AND REPLACE, AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Mar 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
Aug 18, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DOOR LATCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A LATCH PAWL THAT HAS A COATING WHICH WILL SWELL IN HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THE LATCH PAWL MAY THEN STICK IN THE OPEN OR UNLATCHED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN THE DOOR OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SIDE DOOR LATCH.
Jul 20, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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